. world ski news : Oestberg and Hamilton record first stage World Cup wins in Lenzerheide - 31 December 2013 - 18:37
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI, TOUR DE SKI. It was a day of firsts in many ways. It was the first time the Tour de Ski arrived in Lenzerheide and for Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg (NOR) and Simi Hamilton (USA) it was their first time ever on top of a stage World Cup podium. For Hamilton in the men's competition it was his first time ever in a sprint final.
In the ladies' sprint final Oestberg overtook her teammate Astrid Jacobsen on the homestretch to record her first stage World cup victory. With her win she took over the Tour leader and Sprint leader bibs from Marit Bjørgen. Jacobsen held on for second place, just ahead of Germany's Denise Herrmann.
In the men's final Hamilton made it into the final as one of the two lucky losers and took full advantage of that opportunity charging past Italy's Federico Pellegrino off the final corner. At the finish Hamilton held off a hard charging Alex Harvey of Canada who took second and in third for the second stage in a row was Norway's Martin Johnsrud Sundby. With second place Harvey retains the overall Tour leader bib and as well now has the Sprint leader bib.
ATHLETES QUOTES
Alex Harvey (CAN)
I was little bit nervous about the qualification, I was 24th in the prologue. The qualification was very fast. Something was not right with my skiing but I felt much better in the heats. I felt very good in the finals. I gave it all in the final stretch. It’s great to be still in red bib.
Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (NOR)
I felt really good and strong the whole day. I am so surprised and happy to win and to be the Tour leader.
Simi Hamilton (USA)
This is incredible. It’s been really great to be here and competing in Switzerland. The track was perfect. I have not realised yet that I won today.
FIScrosscountry.com
31 December 2013 16:43
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Ladies' Sprint Final
1. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad NOR
2. JACOBSEN Astrid Uhrenholdt NOR
3. HERRMANN Denise GER
4. VAN DER GRAAFF Laurien SUI
5. KOLB Hanna GER
6. CALDWELL Sophie USA
Men's Sprint Final
1. HAMILTON Simeon USA
2. HARVEY Alex CAN
3. SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud NOR
4. PELLEGRINO Federico ITA
5. KROGH Finn Haagen NOR
6. HALFVARSSON Calle SWE
FIS Tour de Ski Overall standing ladies
1. Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (NOR) 11:57.4
2. Marit Bjørgen (NOR) +2.0
3. Denise Herrmann (GER) +2.3
FIS Tour de Ski Overall standing men
1. Alex Harvey (CAN) 13:38.3
2. Calle Halfvarsson (SWE) +22.7
3. Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR) +27.0
FIS Tour de Ski Sprint standing ladies
1. Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (NOR) 0:54
2. Denise Herrmann (GER) 0:51
3. Hanna Eriksson (SWE) 0:45
FIS Tour de Ski Sprint standing men
1. Alex Harvey (CAN) 0:54
2. Calle Halfvarsson (SWE) 0:51
3. Federico Pellegrino (ITA) 0:50